2020 Wigan Warriors season

The 2020 season is Wigan Warriors's 40th consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. During the season, they competed in the Super League XXV and the 2020 Challenge Cup.

Wigan Warriors 2020 season
Super League XXV Rank1st
Play-off resultRunners-up
Challenge CupSemi-finals
2020 recordWins: 15; draws: 0; losses: 6
Points scoredFor: 489; against: 318[lower-alpha 1]
Team information
ChairmanIan Lenagan
Head CoachAdrian Lam
Captain
StadiumDW Stadium
Avg. attendance12,222
Agg. attendance48,889
High attendance15,040
Low attendance10,333
Top scorers
TriesBevan French (17)
GoalsZak Hardaker (72)
PointsZak Hardaker (164)
Home colours
Away colours
< 2019 List of seasons 2021 >

Preseason friendlies

The 2020 pre-season saw three matches played including a testimonial, against Leeds Rhinos, for academy graduate Liam Farrell who has been playing for the first team since the 2010 season.[1] The first match against the London Skolars was a continuation of an annual event between the Warriors and Skolars, resulting in a 70–6 win by the away side. The second match against the Leeds Rhinos resulted in a 10–22 loss for Wigan. The final match against derby rivals Leigh Centurions, ended in a 6–12 loss for the Warriors.

Date Opponent H/A Result Scorers Att. Ref.
17 January 2020 London Skolars A 70–6
19 January 2020 Leeds Rhinos H 10–22 [2]
23 January 2020 Leigh Centurions A 6–12 [3]

Super League
Main article: Super League XXV

Source:[4]

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed/Cancelled/Expunged

  • All fixtures are subject to change
Date and TimeMWVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendancePositionTVReport
30 January, 19:451 Warrington WolvesHDW StadiumW16–10French, Powell, MarshallHardaker (2)15,0406thSky Sports[5]
7 February, 19:452 Castleford TigersAThe Mend-A-Hose JungleL12–16Byrne, BurgessHardaker (2)8,8487thNot Aired[6]
13 February, 19:453 Toronto WolfpackHDW StadiumW32–10Smith, French (2), Burgess, Farrell (2)Hardaker (4)10,3332ndSky Sports [7][lower-alpha 2]
23 February, 19:454 Hull FCHDW StadiumW26–12French, Manfredi, Hastings, IsaHardaker (5)12,0052ndNot Aired [11]
1 March, 15:005 Huddersfield GiantsAJohn Smiths StadiumW42–10Isa, Marshall (3), Powell, Manfredi, Partington, BurgessHardaker (5)6,5741stNot Aired[12]
8 March, 15:006 Hull KRHDW StadiumW30–16Hastings (2), Farrell, Powell, MarshallHardaker (5)11,5111stNot Aired[12]
13 March, 19:457 Salford Red DevilsAAJ Bell StadiumL14–18Hastings, PowellHankinson (3)4,7961stSky Sports[13]
22 March, 15:008 Catalans DragonsHDW Stadium Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: On 16 March the Super League and RFL announced the suspension of all games until 3 April.[14]
27 March, 19:459 Wakefield TrinityAThe Mobile Rocket Stadium
Indefinite suspension of the Super League announced on 24 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]
On 26 June the RFL announced the Super League would return on 2 August.[16]
9 August, 15:15 8 Wakefield Trinity N Headingley Stadium W 23–22 Hardaker, French, Marshall, Bibby Hardaker (3)
Drop-goals: Smith		 Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] 1st Sky Sports [18]
16 August, 18:30 9 Leeds Rhinos N Totally Wicked Stadium W 28–10 Farrell, Manfredi, French (2), Bibby Hardaker (4) 1st Sky Sports [19]
29 August, 16:15 10 Catalans Dragons N Halliwell Jones Stadium Postponed due to two Catalans Dragons players testing positive for COVID-19. Wigan's schedule was changed to play their round 18 tie against Castleford Tigers instead, who had been freed up in round 10 due to Toronto Wolfpack's earlier exit from the competition.[20][21]
NB: This match was set to be aired on Sky Sports.
29 August, 16:15 18 Castleford Tigers N Halliwell Jones Stadium W 30–22 Powell, Burgess, Farrell, Bullock, Flower Hardaker (5) Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] 1st Sky Sports [22]
3 September, 18:00 11 Hull KR N Headingley Stadium L 18–34 Powell, Hastings, Smith Hardaker (3) 3rd >> 4th[lower-alpha 3] Sky Sports [24]
12 September, 17:00 12 Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus W 28–18 Gildart, French, Burgess (2), Powell Hardaker (4) 5,000[lower-alpha 4] 3rd Sky Sports [25]
25 September, 20:15 13 Wakefield Trinity N Halliwell Jones Stadium W 28–16 Hastings, French (2), Powell, Gildart Hardaker (4) Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] 3rd Sky Sports [26]
29 September, 19:45 14 St Helens N AJ Bell Stadium L 0–42 4th Sky Sports [27]
9 October, 19:45 15 Warrington Wolves N Headingley Stadium W 18–14 Greenwood, Hardaker, Farrell Hardaker (3) 2nd Sky Sports [28]
14 October 16 Toronto Wolfpack A Lamport Stadium Fixture cancelled following Toronto Wolfpack withdrawal from the Super League 2020.[9]
15 October, 17:30 10 Catalans Dragons N Halliwell Jones Stadium Postponed due to several Wigan Warriors players testing positive for COVID-19. The match was later cancelled as a revised date was unable to be arranged.[29]
NB: This match was set to be aired on Sky Sports.
23 October, 17:30 17 Salford Red Devils N Totally Wicked Stadium W 58–12 Powell (2), Farrell (2), French (3), Hastings, Gildart (2) Hardaker (9) Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] 2nd Sky Sports [30]
30 October, 19:45 19 St Helens N Totally Wicked Stadium W 18–6 Bibby, Leuluai, French, Hastings Hardaker 1st Sky Sports [31]
6 November, 19:45 20 Huddersfield Giants N Headingley Stadium W 19–6 Powell, Hastings, Hardaker Hardaker (3)
Drop-goals: Hastings		 1st Sky Sports [32]
8/9 November 21 Leeds Rhinos Cancelled: Due to a significantly higher proportion of positive COVID-19 tests in the Hull KR squad, a decision was made to curtail the remainder of the season on 3 November. Select matches would still go ahead to enable all teams to have played a similar number of games.[29]
12/13 November 22 Hull F.C.

League table
Wigan's New signing Jake Bibby celebrating winning the 2020 League Leaders' Shield
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PP Pts PCT Qualification[lower-alpha 5]
1 Wigan Warriors (L) 17 13 0 4 408 278 146.8 26 76.47 Semi-finals
2 St Helens (C) 17 12 0 5 469 195 240.5 24 70.59
3 Warrington Wolves[upper-alpha 1] 17 12 0 5 365 204 178.9 24 70.59 Elimination semi-finals
4 Catalans Dragons 13 8 0 5 376 259 145.2 16 61.54
5 Leeds Rhinos 17 10 0 7 369 390 94.6 20 58.82
6 Hull F.C. 17 9 0 8 405 436 92.9 18 52.94
7 Huddersfield Giants[upper-alpha 2] 18 7 0 11 318 367 86.6 14 38.89
8 Castleford Tigers 16 6 0 10 328 379 86.5 12 37.50
9 Salford Red Devils[upper-alpha 3] 18 8 0 10 354 469 75.5 16 44.44
10 Wakefield Trinity 18 5 0 13 324 503 64.4 10 27.78
11 Hull Kingston Rovers 17 3 0 14 290 526 55.1 6 17.65
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (L) League Leaders' Shield Winners
Notes:
  1. Does not include expunged win against Toronto Wolfpack
  2. Following Toronto Wolfpack's decision to withdraw from the 2020 Super League due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] all previous results involving Toronto Wolfpack would be expunged from the 2020 season record.[9][10]
  3. Due to the number of games being postponed and the limited opportunities to reschedule the Super League changed the format of the table so positions would be based of win percentage thus allowing for an even competition if teams don't play all 20 matches.[23]
  4. Due to the difference in regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in France, a capped attendance of 5,000 was permitted for the game.
  5. Where teams have the same win percentage, position is decided by points scored percentage (points scored divided by points conceded).[33]

Play-offs
Main article: Super League XXV § Play-offs

  Win   Draw   Loss

  • All fixtures are subject to change
Date and TimeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVReport
19 November, 19:45 Semi-final Hull F.C. H DW Stadium W 29–2 Burgess, Smith, Hardaker, Bibby, French Hardaker (4)
Drop-goals: Smith		 Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] Sky Sports [37]
27 November, 20:00 Grand Final St Helens N KCOM Stadium L 4–8 Bibby Sky Sports [38]

Challenge Cup
Main article: 2020 Challenge Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed/Cancelled

  • All fixtures are subject to change
Date and TimeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVReport
4/5 April Sixth round Warrington Wolves H DW Stadium Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: On 16 March the Super League and RFL announced the suspension of all games until 3 April.[14]
22 August, 14:30 Warrington Wolves N Kirklees Stadium Cancelled: Due to the withdrawal of tier 2 and tier 3 clubs, and Toronto Wolfpack from the competition, all sixth round will be redrawn.[39] Wigan was one of the six teams to receive a bye to the quarter-finals.[40]
NB: This match was set to be aired on BBC One.[41]
19 September, 17:00 Quarter-final Hull F.C. N AJ Bell Stadium W 36–4 Powell, Farrell (2), French (2), Burgess, Gildart Hardaker (4) Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] BBC Two [42]
3 October, 14:30 Semi-final Leeds Rhinos N Totally Wicked Stadium L 12–26 Smith, Hardaker Hardaker (2) BBC One [43]

Transfers

In
Player From Contract Date Ref.
England Jake Bibby Salford Red Devils 3 Years June 2019 [44]
England George Burgess South Sydney Rabbitohs 2 Years June 2019 [45]
Māori people Mitch Clark Castleford Tigers 2 Years June 2019 [46]
England Jackson Hastings Salford Red Devils 3 Years July 2019 [47]
Australia Bevan French Parramatta Eels 2 Years July 2019 [48]
England Kai Pearce-Paul London Broncos 4 Years November 2019 [49]
Ireland Brad Singleton Toronto Wolfpack 3 Years September 2020

Out
Player To Contract Date Ref.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Samy Kibula Warrington Wolves 1 Year September 2019 [50]
England Caine Barnes Workington Town Undisclosed September 2019 [50]
England Dan Sarginson Salford Red Devils Undisclosed October 2019 [51]
England George Williams Canberra Raiders 2 Years October 2019 [52]
England James Worthington Oldham Roughyeds 1 Year October 2019
England Callum Field Leigh Centurions Undisclosed November 2019
England Tom Davies Catalans Dragons 2 Years November 2019 [53]
England Sam Grant Swinton Lions 1 Year November 2019
England Mikey Fitz Cronulla Sharks 3 Years November 2019
France Morgan Escaré Released[lower-alpha 1] — June 2020 [54]

Loans Out
Player To Contract Date Ref.
England Josh Woods Leigh Centurions 1 Year December 2019
England Craig Mullen Leigh Centurions 1 Year December 2019

Squad
2020 Wigan Warriors Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)
  • Injured

Updated: 15 November 2019
Source(s): 2020 Squad Numbers

Notes
  1. Later joined Salford Red Devils
  2. James McDonnell is currently undeclared for a national side and is eligible for either England or Ireland

References
  1. "Liam Farrell Testimonial Preview | News | Wigan Warriors". www.wiganwarriors.com.
  2. "Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪ (at 🏡)'s Instagram photo: "FULL TIME | Wigan Warriors 10-22 Leeds Rhinos . Wigan Warriors suffer a 10-22 defeat against Leeds Rhinos at the DW Stadium in Liam…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021.
  3. "Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪ (at 🏡) on Instagram: "FULL TIME | Leigh 12-6 Wigan . The Warriors suffer defeat in their final friendly game. A great effort from a youthful Wigan side to…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021.
  4. "Super League (Sky Sports)". SkySports.
  5. "Super League 2020: Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves talking points". Sky Sports.
  6. "Castleford 16-12 Wigan: Tigers punish indisciplined Warriors". Sky Sports.
  7. "Wigan Warriors 32-10 Toronto Wolfpack: Bevan French and Liam Farrell keep Wolfpack at bay". Sky Sports.
  8. "Toronto Wolfpack pull out of Super League season as relegation is cancelled | Toronto Wolfpack | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com.
  9. "Toronto Wolfpack season record discarded following withdrawal - Sports Mole". Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  10. "Toronto Wolfpack season record expunged following Super League withdrawal". Peeblesshire News.
  11. "Wigan 26-12 Hull FC: Bevan French and Jackson Hastings inspire Warriors". Sky Sports.
  12. "Huddersfield 10-42 Wigan: Liam Marshall hat-trick sends Warriors to top of the table". Sky Sports.
  13. "Salford 18-14 Wigan: Red Devils come from 12 points down to claim Super League win". Sky Sports.
  14. "Coronavirus: Rugby Football League suspends season until 3 April". 16 March 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  15. "Update: Season Suspension". www.superleague.co.uk.
  16. Smailes, James (26 June 2020). "Super League restart: When are games, venues, TV details and more". HullLive.
  17. "Super League: 21 games in 29 days in August as fixtures for rest of 2020 regular season are revealed". Sky Sports.
  18. "Wakefield 22-23 Wigan: Warriors survive late Trinity fightback". Sky Sports.
  19. "Wigan 28-10 Leeds: Liam Farrell scores 100th try as Warriors move top of Super League". Sky Sports.
  20. "Two Catalans players who featured in Challenge Cup test positive for Covid-19 | Super League | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com.
  21. "Wigan to play Castleford in R10 after Catalans clash postponed". 25 August 2020.
  22. "Wigan 30-22 Castleford: Warriors edge Tigers in entertaining Super League clash". Sky Sports.
  23. "2020 Betfred Super League | Competition Update". www.rugby-league.com.
  24. "Hull KR 34-18 Wigan: Greg Minikin hat-trick helps Robins stun Warriors". Sky Sports.
  25. "Catalans Dragons 12-28 Wigan Warriors: Joe Burgess' double helps Cherry and Whites to Super League win". Sky Sports.
  26. "Wigan 28-16 Wakefield: Warriors go second after tough Wakefield win". Sky Sports.
  27. "Wigan 0-42 St Helens: Regan Grace and Jack Welsby doubles help down young Warriors". Sky Sports.
  28. "Warrington 14-18 Wigan: Warriors snatch Super League points late on through Liam Farrell". Sky Sports.
  29. "Super League play-offs brought forward" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  30. "Wigan 58-12 Salford: Bevan French scores hat-trick as Warriors rout Red Devils". Sky Sports.
  31. "Super League: St Helens 6-18 Wigan Warriors win top-of-the-table clash". Sky Sports.
  32. "Wigan 19-6 Huddersfield: Warriors win League Leaders' Shield". Sky Sports.
  33. "2020 Betfred Super League Competition Update". Rugby Football League. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  34. "Super League: Huddersfield v Castleford, and Warrington v Salford cancelled". BBC Sport. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  35. "Huddersfield season officially over". www.giantsrl.com. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  36. "Salford Red Devils: Super League club deducted three wins over financial breach". BBC Sport. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  37. "Super League (Sky Sports)". SkySports.
  38. "Super League Grand Final: Jack Welsby clinches 8-4 win for St Helens over Wigan Warriors". Sky Sports.
  39. "Challenge Cup sixth round to be redrawn" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  40. Jackson, William (29 July 2020). "Live Challenge Cup draw updates as FC, KR and more discover fate". HullLive.
  41. Smailes, James (17 July 2020). "Challenge Cup 2020 schedule and final date announced". HullLive.
  42. "Challenge Cup: Hull FC 4-36 Wigan Warriors". 17 September 2020 – via www.bbc.com.
  43. "Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos 26-12 Wigan Warriors". 1 October 2020 – via www.bbc.com.
  44. "Jake Bibby joins Wigan | News | Wigan Warriors".
  45. "Wigan lure George Burgess to Super League | News | Wigan Warriors".
  46. "In focus: Mitch Clark | News | Wigan Warriors".
  47. "Hastings to become a Warrior | News | Wigan Warriors".
  48. "Bevan French signs with the Warriors | News | Wigan Warriors".
  49. "Wigan sign Broncos youngster | News | Wigan Warriors".
  50. "barnes and kibula to leave wigan". Wigan Warriors. 10 September 2019.
  51. "Farewell Dan Sarginson | News | Wigan Warriors".
  52. "Farewell George Williams | News | Wigan Warriors".
  53. "Davies Leaves Wigan for Catalans | News | Wigan Warriors".
  54. "Morgan Escare: Wigan Warriors full-back leaves Super League club by mutual consent". 15 June 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  1. Salford forfeited a game against Warrington. Under RFL operational rules, the game is recorded as a 24–0 victory for Warrington and converse loss for Salford with the points scored/conceded applying to both teams.[34]
  2. Huddersfield were placed on standby to take the place of any of the four teams in the elimination finals should one be unable to fulfil their fixture.[35]
  3. Salford deducted three wins by the Rugby Football League for failing to meet the terms of a financial commitment agreed in 2013.[36]
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